Alessio Valori
Alessio Valori worked as DoP on the cult film SHOOTING SILVIO (2006). Born and educated in Italy, where he obtained a diploma in cinematography, he has since shot over 20 short-films, several music videos, commercials and documentaries. He is currently working on a project in Rio, Brazil.
What training have you received?
4 months camera training in Bologna whilst also obtaining a degree in Media Studies at the University of Bologna. I then moved to ARRI Technovision in Milan where I worked as a trainee camera loader under the supervision of a very talented old school Italian cameraman, Sir Oddo Bernardini.
Since my first feature film as DoP “ Il segreto di Rahil “ (2005), I‘ve shot many shorts in the town of Bologna. One of those, “Carl”, I shot in 2000 and I still consider it to be my best work. It’s a Black and White short film, shot at that time with less than £400 for the whole thing.
Does your budget dictate the themes you explore in your films?
Of course you can feel that the budget is there. The amount of energy that you and the rest of the crew put into the film is what will determine the shooting. The objects are waiting for you to reveal them. Moving a certain light prop to a different position can change the look of your shot completely. A light flaring in the camera can give the perfect solution to a very black scene. Then I personally ask in Low budget films to be the one who’s going to grade the film- I know exactly what I can miss in a shot to set it later in post.
A low budget film is experimental; that’s the only rule.
Your top low-budget film tip
Bring nice fresh sandwiches from home, I would say! Seriously though, it’s important to feel what is around you, the space you are in. You would not put on your equipment list a piece of torn, dirty, wet paper but then you find it on location and it comes to mind as your perfect choice to bounce a 2K Arri because it’ll give the proper look.
Most significant moment in your career so far
It would definitely be my second Italian feature film, “ Shooting Silvio “ that was released all over the country in cinemas. It was an independent feature film around £200,000 with lots of restrictions but in my point of view it’s a job well done.
You’ll die happy when…
Let’s say when I’ve shot 1000 Features. Then it’s time to go to the editing room.
